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Cover Letters
4

Cover Letters

Cover Letters

(OP)
I did a search and couldn't find this topic discussed in detail, a bit surprising.  I am planning to relocate from Southern California to Central Florida this March or April.  I am an only child, and my father is a widower.  I am moving back home to provide care and companionship for him, especially after a severe health scare last year.  Should I include this information in my cover letters, or should I save this information for the (fingers crossed) interviews?

"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."

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RE: Cover Letters

I wouldn't.  Doing so could flag you as one who is likely to leave when your father passes -or- one who is likely to need special considerations.  Neither is appetizing to an employer.

Simply stating that you are moving to be near family ought to be enough.

RE: Cover Letters

In the cover letter I'd stick with simple and basic.  "I am seeking a job in Central Florida because I am relocating for personnel reasons."

Save the details for interviews.

RE: Cover Letters

personnel reasons!  nice typo.
 

RE: Cover Letters

(OP)
Personal personnel reasons, I like it.

Thanks for the the advice, I sort of figured that by adding it I would come across as a potential headache down the road for a prospective employer.

"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."

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RE: Cover Letters

TMI.  Honestly, I would leave the location completely out of the cover letter and save it for phone interviews:  why do you want to relo to Florida.  Not that you'd want to encounter the situation, but if the company knows you're relocating anyway, they might be less inclined to help with the re-lo costs (unless you've already got that taken care of).   

RE: Cover Letters

Given a choice, I'd take CA over FL.  Just not LA.

RE: Cover Letters

I wouldn't put it in the cover letter.  

However, I would disagree with skearse and say put something about the location change (a variation on Mints idea is good, without the e) in your cover letter.  They will see from your address that you are from miles away and that might otherwise cause them to discount you without looking more closely.

If they ask at the interview you could maybe say more but I'd still maybe phrase it more about 'being close to family' rather than 'look after a sick family member', the latter might get sympathy but if they're a less charitable soul they may think like Tick says.

Either way, hope it works out for you.  Hope it's not a rat leaving a sinking ship 'cause I figure I'm here in CA for the forseeable.

KENAT,

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RE: Cover Letters

(OP)
KENAT, you're the reason I'm leaving, especially if they make you a citizen.  tongue

Honestly though, this is not the best timing for making a transition like this.  It's a bit scary.  Reimbursement for relocation if not something I require.  I've made this cross-country road trip a few times now, this time I plan on enjoying myself during the drive back.

"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."

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RE: Cover Letters

Hell yeah, look at the trouble we went to to send you over there... tongue

If you had been really bad we'd have sent you to Oz like the good old days but it's more expensive getting there than the US lol
  

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If we learn from our mistakes I'm getting a great education!
 

RE: Cover Letters

I would also take the "moderate" road of mentioning that you are relocating in the cover letter, but leave out the reason. Something like, "I have been planning on relocating to City, Florida, and was excited to see the position you have open."

Depending on how you feel and your style, the "I have been planning" could be changed to "I was hoping to," "I am moving to," "I am interested in," etc...

It just depends on your style and how motivated you think the company wants you to appear. Some companies may treat you differently if they think you are looking for anything in a specific area versus appearing to be looking at a large area and selecting that company.

If they are interested in knowing more specifically about it, they will ask. Depending on the situation, they may be more/less interested. I think it is best to be broad and just touch on items in the cover letter. Let the person doing the hiring decide which items they want to follow up on.

-- MechEng2005

RE: Cover Letters

I wouldn't put personal reasons.  They will think you have problems and may not stick around.

Just put you want to be closer to family.  Do not discuss your fathers health as an issue.

It's personal and nobody's business, it's your business.

Good luck!

RE: Cover Letters

MadMango...don't put it in the letter.  If it's necessary to explain, do so in person at the interview,or even better, after you're hired.

Personal "issues" are flags for rejection, no matter how unfair that might seem.  Don't throw anything out there except that you are relocating to Florida.  You don't have to give a reason. Fundamentally it's none of their business and if it doesn't affect your performance, who cares.

Welcome to Florida.  It's a great state. Other than traffic in Orlando, Central Florida is probably the best area in the state.  

RE: Cover Letters

You know, the posters saying not even to put 'personal reasons' might not be wrong.  I still think you need to say that you are looking to relocate in some way though, as like I said it will be obvious from the address on your resume/letter anyway that you aren't local which might be a flag for some.

KENAT,

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RE: Cover Letters

I would just tell a potential employer that you like Disneyworld better than Disneyland.

RE: Cover Letters

2
If you are going to relocate anyway and don't want to have the relocation part by an issue with future employers here's what you do;

Use your dad's address on your resumes and get a cell phone with a central FL area code.  When they call tell them that you are in CA until April for work.

RE: Cover Letters

Japher,
Good post.  I do not think being completely honest with a future employer is correct.

You can't tell them it's none of their business, even though it is not, this is a good way around it.

They should only be interested in your skills, attitude, availibility, etc.

Good luck!

RE: Cover Letters

Lying about your residency will not work well if they do a pre-employment background check.

RE: Cover Letters

It is a local address and number for a point of contact, not an indication of your residency.

It is not like that is verified.  Who cares if you live on Oak St. or 21st Ave.? FL or CA?

 

RE: Cover Letters

MadMango

Never had the pleasure of Ca. however I recall some primo times in Jax. Beach and Gainesville.
The lightening (elec storms) in Fla. are epic. So are the kini's.

Enjoy.

I would not include "personal reasons" that sounds sketchy to me.  
Omit the reason for moving, save it for the interview. And by the way, your reason should be an admirable quality to your perspective employer. It would to me.

Good health to your dad.

RE: Cover Letters

I think the suggestion of using your Dad's address is effective.  When you relocate, that is probably where you will be staying.  Since you are not expecting any relo, that eliminates it from the equation.  These days relo money or any suggestion to relo money could get your resume immediately tossed into file 13.

RE: Cover Letters

(OP)
I had planned to use the FL address, stipulating that I would be available April for interviews.  I didn't consider a new cell number however.  Thank you all for the advice, it will be heeded.


 

"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."

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RE: Cover Letters

The cover letter should restate your qualifications, and  that 'if you have a need for ......, contact me by any of the following avenues.'
In my last job, my interest in the area had a positive effect. During the interview an exhibit of various samples was a benefit.
 

RE: Cover Letters

ScottyUk - nothing wrong with Oz afro - except for the extreme heat, long lasting water restrictions, distance between towns and countries, flies, over dependent economy and the amount of creepy crawlies that could put an end to all that at any time.

Good thread. MadMango, i wish both you and your father all the best, you are doing a good thing which will be greatly appreciated.

 

RE: Cover Letters

Florida is nice except for all the beaches

RE: Cover Letters

Just say: "They seem to keep the ratio strong in FLA."
Now that's a good reason.

RE: Cover Letters

Just tell them that you are trying to get ahead of the rush and don't want to be the last one out of CA.

rmw

RE: Cover Letters

(OP)
I am beating a rush, but I don't think it relates to people leaving CA.  I think it is people leaving the Shuttle programs and flooding the local FL job markets that concern me.

"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."

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